Now we command you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us

 Good morning. Now we command (not just a request) you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (he’s really getting serious when he invokes the name of Jesus), that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. This is probably one of the places where the idea of shunning comes from. In certain religious groups, if someone in the church does something against their beliefs, no one in the church (including family) can have anything to do with that person. When you see it happen in movies or on TV, it always seems too extreme. Family members are not permitted to eat with and many times not even allowed to speak to those who are being shunned. It is true, however, that bad company corrupts good morals. In other words, associating with unruly people will more likely affect you than your good behavior affect them. My Bible says that this reference to leading an unruly life probably refers back to his first letter to them in which people quit working because they thought the second coming was imminent. The verses we’ll see tomorrow seem to confirm that. Father continue blessing the reader and his/her family every day with whatever they need.

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